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THE NINETY-NINES, Inc.INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN PILOTS
N ew s L etterInternational Headquarters — P. 0. Box 1444 — Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
AIR TERMINAL BUILDING — WILL ROGERS F IE L D -------------------------------------
President's ColumnJune 1, 1958
The National Convention is the Number One item on my daily agenda now. The Alabama Ninetv-Nines have a most i n t e r e s t i n g program all planned for us. There is certainly no nicer way to show our appreciation, and to repay those responsible for all the work, planning and concern that has gone into this Convention, than to attend it. So let us make the attendance this year a record breaker!
Just a word to those of you who have yet to attend your first National Convention. I feel that until you do attend your Convention, you in some way, have a missing-link in your affiliation with your Organization. You can not know that close relationship that comes from the association with Ninety-Nines from all the Chapters throughout the Organization. It will be a happy experience for you, and you will realize more benefit and pleasure from your membership.
Please check the program in your News Letter, for changes in time, on the Executive Board meeting and the Business meeting, also note the speakers, Nancy Byrd Walton from Aus tralia, James C. Powell, and Bevo Howard. Please do not neglect getting your ballots in, deadline, midnight, June 25th. H ere’s hoping for good weather for good flying, a good attendance and a wonderful Convention! See you in A labam a!
Sincerely,Broneta Davis Evans
OOOPS—SORRY!We were misinformed, along with
several other aviation papers concerning the Lady Hay-Drummond Award. We apologize.
News ItemFirst Woman President—Jackie Cochran, Past President of the 99’s, was elected first woman President of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, a 47 nation federation for the promotion of Aviation. All 99’s wish you well, knowing fully you will serve with honor and distinction.
"Can't Say We
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To Get There"
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P R O G R A M S C H E D U L E
N IN E T Y N INES IN T E R N A T IO N A L CO N VEN TIO NJuly 10-12
JEFFERSON DAVIS HOTEL Montgomery, Alabama THURSDAY, JULY 10
Fly-in Day—Landing at Dannelley Field, sunrise to sunset. Free tie-down, transportation, refreshments.
1:00 p .m .-5:00 p.m .— Registration, lobby Jefferson Davis Hotel. Registration fee $10.00, also registration for jet ride.
12:00 noon—Executive and Governors’ meeting. President’s suite.7:00 p .m .-10:00 p.m .—Cocktails and buffet dinner, Montgomery Country Club.
Entertainment, (inform al).
FRIDAY, JULY 11CONVENTION BUSINESS SESSIONS
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon—Business meeting. (Delegates must be registered by 8:00 a.m .)
12:30 p.m .—Luncheon and Fashion Show by Coach and Four, Jefferson Davis.2:00 p .m .-5:00 p.m .—Business meeting.8:00 p.m .—Past Presidents’ Award Dinner, Blue Moon Inn. Ninety-Nines and
guests. (To honor all our Past Presidents present.)
SATURDAY, JULY 1210:00 a.m .—Tour of Maxwell Air Force Base, home of the Air University.11:30 a.m .—Be on hand for take-off of the winner of the Jet ride by one of our
members. Courtesy pilot ?12:30 p.m .—Lunch at Maxwell Officers Club. Speaker, Nancy Byrd Walton of
Australia.3:00 p m . -4:00 p.m. Tour of Montgomery, courtesy of Montgomery Chamber
of Com m erce.6:30 p .m .-7:30 p.m .—Cocktail party, courtesy of Montgomery Zonta Club.8:00 p.m .—Convention Banquet. Amelia Earhart Scholarship Award. Jefferson
Davis Hotel Ballroom. Master of Ceremonies, Bevo Howard; Guest Speaker, James C. Powell.
Take-off DaySUNDAY, JULY 13
Transportation furnished to airport.
International Air Race News
1957-58INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS
PrpcidpnfBRONETA DAVIS EVANS
Minco, Oklahoma Vice President
EUGENIA R. HEISE 5019 N. Cumberland Blvd.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin Secretary
ELOISE SMITH4011 Woodhams Dr.
Kalamazoo, Michigan Treasurer
BARBARA J. EVANS 40 Stuart Place
Manhasset, New York Executive Committee
LOUISE SMITH 421 Edgedale Dr.
High Point, North Carolina EDNA GARDNER WHYTE
3155 Willow Park Dr.Fort Worth, Texas
JIMMIE KOLP Box 591
Electra, Texas
Deadline For News The 25th Of Each Month
(JJew JUinetu- (ClinesSoutheast Section
CALDWELL, Martha I.510 Florham Ave.P. O. Box 1048 CarolinasHigh Point, N. C.Phone: 2-2306
South Central SectionRENNY, June D.
(Mrs. James B.)101 Colorada St.Dyess AFB AbileneAbilene, Texas Phone: OR 3-7617TROMM, Catharina C.1315 Sixth Street Corpus Christi-Corpus Christi, Texas Houston Phone: TU 3-8023
Southwest SectionCROWLEY, Elizabeth Sue2804 Future Street San FernandoLos Angeles 31, Calif.Phone: CA 2-4690GOODWIN, Frances L. (M rs.)2376 Linwood St. San DiegoSan Diego, Calif.Phone: CY 5-1722
REINSTATEMENT
North Central SectionSLA VICK, Loretta F.
(Mrs. Leon E.) Greater44 Forest Glen Lane St. LouisKirkwood 22, Mo.Phone: YO 5-1223
Hilda Perez De Fragas, Cuba’s only 99 entrant in the 1957 International Air Race.
The Race will start from Welland, Canada on August 16th, RON at Fort Lauderdale, Fla., by the 18th and we will be at the Grand Bahama Club from the 19th-23rd. Day extra at terminus to avoid custom payment at Buffalo. (Time for more fun.)
Prizes: $800, 1st; $500, 2nd; $300, 3rd; $200, 4th; $150, 5th; $50, 6th.
Required stop: Buffalo, N. Y. Visual check: St. Simon’s Island, Brunswick, Ga.
Method of computation of winner: Handicap speed over actual ground speed; highest plus winner. (Handicap 100: Ground speed for course 110: equals plus 10.)
Dates: Deadline entries, July 31, 1958; deadline arrival Welland, August 14, 1958 (sundown); race start, August 16, 1958; deadline Fort Lauderdale, August 18 (sundown); last leg to Grand Bahama, August 19th; re turn to US, August 23rd.
Irma Price is entry chief, all inquiries to her 242 SW 8th St., Miami, Fla.
(Trophies and souvenirs.)Dorothea M. B. Verm orel Chairman
NoticeThere will be no July issue of
The 99 Nev/s Letter.Please, please, send your NL
Reports typed and double-spaced and by the 25th of the month, other than June 25th.
Coming EventsAW TAR—San Diego, Calif., to
Charleston, S. C., July LIO.Ninety-Nines International Con
vention, Montgomery, Ala., July11-13.
IAR—Welland, Ontario, Canada to Grand Bahamas, BWI, August 14-23.
Northwest Sectional Meeting, Gaffney’s Lake Wilderness Lodge near Renton, Wash., September12-14.
South Central Sectional meeting in conjunction with the DaUas ‘ Doll D erby” in Dallas, Texas, in September or October. Watch for the dates.S. M. A. L. L. Race — Sturgiss, Mich., to Manistee, Mich., O ctober 11-12.
A W TA R NEW SEntries will close with June 20 post
mark. If you are one of the late entries, pleace send your entry by airmail to AWTAR, Inc., 2611 East Spring Street, Long Beach, Calif., so that we will be able to get your entry into the official program before it goes to press.
Many of you who read this are alrady entered in the AWTAR and are undoubtedly very busy getting
Committee of the Start of the Race (making big plans): Ruby Keaveny, Chairman; Elsie Watson, Impound Chairman; Gertrude L o c k w o o d , Deputy Chairman; Aileen Saunders, Publicity Chairman; Lynn Briggs, Operations Chairman.
your aircraft tuned up and polished for the big event. We are pleased to be able to tell you in this issue of several more awards that have been donated:
Zep Aero of El Segundo, Calif., is donating a Portable Oxygen Unit as an additional prize for the pilot of the aircraft placing first.
Flying Magazine is donating a cash
The Neighbors George Clark
“ No, this isn’t my first flight. Back in the thirties I won a transcontinental race in my own plane.”
The Ninety-Nine News Letter wishes to thank Mollie Slott, Vice-President of The Chicago Tribune — New York News Syndicate, Inc., for granting us perm iss’on to publish the above cartoon. Also, to Miss Ivy Coffey, W omen’s Editor, The Oklahoman and Times, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for making this permission possible.
award of $100 to the crew holding no which makes the highest score.
Jeppesen & Co., Denver, Colo., is donating a Jeppesen Flight Case to the co-pilot of the aircraft placing first, a Radio Air-Route Guide with one-year revision service to the pilot of the aircraft placing second, and Large World Maps to the co-pilots of the aircraft placing second and third. Four Jeppesen R-2 Computers, two Large United States Maps and other smaller maps will also go to pilots and co-pilots who place near the top.
Once again the dates, times and route: Impounding deadline at San Diego, 1700 PST, July 1; take-off, 0800 PST, July 4; deadline to finish at Charleston, 1200 EST, July 8; awards dinner, evening, July 9.
Route: San Diego, Yuma, Tucson, El Paso, Midland, Abilene, Tyler, Jackson, Montgomery, Macon, Charleston (2177.4 statute m iles).
To those of you who will be participating in the race, we wish good flying, good fun and good luck. To those of you who are working on the various committees from coast to coast, we want to express our most sincere thanks for the wonderful help and cooperation you are giving us. To Ninety-Nines everywhere, our deepest thanks for your sponsorship and fine support of this annual race.
AWTAR Board of Directors Betty H. Gillies, Chairman
Pilot's BriefingAll CAA F l i g h t Instructor
Ratings must be exchanged prior to July 1st.
By now I am sure all of you have received your ballot for the National Cfficers, etc., so please, please vote and exercise your duty toward your organization on a National level, too.
After July 1st, New Members will have membership in the 99’s till September, 1959. L et’s make every effort to increase our m e m b e r s h i p , both with new mem bers and reinstated m em bers.
Governors and C o m m it t e e Chairmen — Don’t forget your Annual Report for the Conven- t ’on, be sure there are three conies.
The August News Letter will be a combination of the months of June and July news and events, which means there will be no July issue, and no June 25 deadline for news, but be sure to rem em ber the July 25 deadline.
Please send to NL Editor the dates and places of your Fall Sectional Meetings, as soon as available.
MIDDLE EAST SECTION
EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA CHAPTER
By Peggy BorekWe had a wonderful turnout for the
Middle East Sectional at Philadelphia International Airport on April 26! Six planes and a s s o r t e d automobiles brought 34 m em bers and guests from New York, Wilmington, Washington, D. C., and Philadelphia. Vertol’s experimental hangar and the film “ Skyways Without Runways” with Vertol’s Peg Coale as guide. Peg told us about the turbine development and the new
com m ercial Certol 44. Then there was a trip through the busy Control Tower and Radar Room with explanations by the CAA. After lunch in the Strato Lounge Kate Macario, Chairman of the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter, called the meeting to order and turned the gavel over to Ada Mitchell, Governor of the Middle East Section. Anyone not wearing her 99 pin was assessed 25 cents and we collected $2.00. Margaret Callaway announced that the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter hopes to have three entries in the IAR.
Elsie McBride has passed her com m ercial written. Sandra Callaway has her private and is a new 99.
May 18 was Ladies Day at Wings
Field. We set up beautiful displays with scrapbooks, photographs, M argaret Callaway’s trophies, and information about the 99’s. I donated my cherished autographed p i c t u r e of Amelia Earhart dated 2/15/35 which was taken in Hawaii. Adeliade Tinker and 49V2er John, came up from Wilmington, and Louise Hollinger flew in from Harrisburg. Polly Alley used her Polaroid landcamera, s e l l i n g photographs. Connie Wolf, Nancy Die- mand, Anne S h i e l d s (our A. E. Scholarship nominee), Ann Piggot, Margaret Callaway and Louise Hollinger flew passengers steadily from noon until sunset. A local television personality was master of ceremonies. Connie Wolf fascinated everyone with a talk on ballooning. Her husband, Abby Wolf, thrilled passengers with river landings in his Seabee. Awards were presented to Wing Scouts, Campfire Girls and CAP Cadets. There was a reception at the country club afterward. It was a perfect day. We all worked hard and will now be able to donate something to the AWTAR and scholarship funds.
An Operations and Maintenance Conference will be held in Reading, Pa., on June 7.
There will be an efficiency race with local 99’s participating at Wings Field, Ambler, Pa., on June S.
WASHINGTON, D. C. CHAPTER By Virginia Thompson
To com m em orate the 40th anniversary of the first airmail flight, an old Jenny biplane re-enacted this historic event by taking off from Washington, D. C., landing at Philadelphia and proceeding on to New York. The OX-5 Club also placed a bronze plaque in honor of this occasion in West Potomac Park’s old Polo Field, the southern terminal of the inagural flight.
That evening, May 15, a banquet was held at the Halls of Nations, Hotel Washington, honoring these early air mail pioneers. Blanche Noyes was one of the guests of honor. The speakers were Arthur E. Summerfield, Postmaster General, and Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker. Many fond mem ories were recalled. How much we owe to the vision and courage of these early flyers.
They may have gotten lost and con- fussed at times but no more so than some of our 99ers today. Through a typographical error, the notice for our meeting stated that our h o s t e s s , Helene Oliver, lived at 1825 Phelps Place, Washington, D. C. Imagine our surprise to find ourselves at the School for Russian children. Needless to say, they were as confused as we were. A bit unnerved but undaunted, we aii managed to find Helene’s where we had a most enjoyable time dreaming. That is just what we did as we viewed
Lamona Cervenka’s slides. Portugal, Spain, France, England, and the Brussel’s World Fair looked like such interesting places.
Frlor to this whetting of our desires to travel, Dorothy Mitchell conducted the business meeting where plans were formulated for attending the National Convention in Alabama. Besides those a l r e a d y mentioned, Hazel Dwiggins, Lee Feyen, Ann Ash and I were present from the Washington a rea ; D o r o t h y Faulkner and Augusta Roberts from Delaware, and Marian Hein from Fort Meade, Md. We were delighted to see Marian again after several year ’s absence. But it was really like “ hello” and “ goodbye” as she and her husband are leaving in July for a three year tour of duty in Paris, France.
ALABAMA CHAPTERM argaret H. Barnett, who held the
title as only woman group leader at the Chemstrand Corporation’s R esearch and Development Center here, died recently following a brief illness. She was 31.
Miss Barnett was a textile chemist in Chemstrand’s dyeing and finishing department. She had advanced to the position of group leader in a research f^eld usually considered a “ m an’s w orld .”
She was born Novem ber 11, 1926 at Atkins, Ark., the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Barnett. Mrs. Barnett, who survives, shared a home with her daughter here.
During her early childhood, the
Barnett fam ily moved to Florida where Miss Barnett attended schools in Lakeland and Marianna. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Florida State University in 1948 and a M aster’s degree in textiles from the same institution in 1953. Prior to joining Chemstrand in 1953, she had worked with Callaway Mills, La Grange, Ga., and as a graduate research assistant at Florida State.
Miss Barnett was an active m em ber of the Am erican Association of University Women, the Am erican Chemical Society and the Am erican Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists.
Funeral services were May 24 at 4 p.m. at the First Methodist Church in Decatur, Ala. Interment was at Atkins, Ark., May 25.
FLORIDA CHAPTERRosem ary Ingrahm, with other
aviation enthusiasts hosted the 99 meeting at Naples on May 18. Some cam e by air, some by car and many went into the sea. The most delicious barbecue with all, and we mean ALL, the trimmings was enjoyed by about 30 of us on the beach at Naples. We had two prospective members present, 49V2ers, and 24%ers.
Dorothea M. B. Vermorel, received the National Order of Merit of Civil Aviation of the Republic of Cuba from President Batista, at the Palace in Havana on May 10. She also was on the official comm ittee for the opening of the new Rosillio Airport, near Havana, and was guest of the Government for the weekend. With m em ber Hilda Perez several Cuban girls, whose husbands have planes, were given a “ pep” talk on obtaining their licenses, in hopes some day of having a Cuban Chapter.
Dorothea, Irma and Marion are going to the Grand Bahama Club next week, as guests, to finalize all the entertainment and other plans for the Race.
Looking forward to Convention. See you there.
TENNESSEE CHAPTER By Constance Ohlinger
On April 25 Evelyn Bryan received her Rotorcraft Flight Instructor Rating at Fort Worth, Texas. She already had gotten her Com m ercial Helicopter Rating in Feb. 1957. We know Bell Helicopter Training School can ’t be any prouder of Evelyn than we are. Congratulations, Evelyn!
Georgiana McConnell and Sarah Duke attended the Southeast Regional Conference CAP in Naples, Fla. Sarah is a Lt. Col. and Public Information
of Administration for the Region. Sarah and Georgiana had the pleasure of seeing Maj. Betty McNabb of eGorgia, and Col. Clara Livingston, Wing Commander for Porto Rico, at the conference.
These are the days when the sightseeing pilot thrills over the beauty of evolving Spring in the Southern Appalachians. Once-brown mountains are now garbed in fresh green, and newly cultivated valleys begin to show verdure. Truly, these are perfect fly ing days—no gusts of March and no summer thermals yet.
NO. CENTRAL ' F m E 9 SECTION
MINNESOTA CHAPTER By Rita Orr
Our May meeting was held at Wold- Chamberlain Airport and as we prom ised, Marilyn Williams provided us with a special program. Those on hand for rides in B eechcraft’s new twin were Jan White, Shirley Iverson, Pat Sullivan, Margaret Campbell, Jean Scheifley, Marilyn Williams, Florence Scriver, Avis Larson, Rita Orr and our newest member, Juanita Leach. Guests were Dorothy Ryan, Patty Mankin and Virginia Casperson.
Jane White reported on the NIFA meet at Holman Field which she attended as judge of the outstanding woman pilot. Jane picked the winner and presented the trophy on our behalf.
Marilyn Williams reported on her progress in the investigation of towns selected as likely candidates for our air - marking program. Apparently Marilyn is a very persuasive orator— she met with the town council of Preston, Minn., and they are now willing to paint signs all over the place— well, not quite, but we are proud of her accomplishment on her first try.
Three new mem bers were voted in —Mary Lee Whiting, Virginia Casperson and Dorothy Ryan. We are most happy to have them.
All went well until a bat decided to join the meeting and confuse the issue. Thanks to Mr. Hoffman, our speaker of the evening, who grounded the creature for the duration and proceeded to deliver an interesting talk on the private pilot’s role in aviation. We also thank Mr. Hoffman for the twin-engine rides. Our June meeting is to be held in St. Cloud—at the airport—where we will discuss plans for our July “ Penny-a-Pound” airlift to be held there . . . see you all then.
CHICAGO AREA CHAPTER By Dorothy Vachout
In April, our meeting was held at Fran Akerlund’s home. Fran treated everyone to a most delicious dinner prior to the meeting, and a wonderful time was had by all. Our May m eeting was a ‘ ‘F ly-In” at Mt. Hawley Airport near Peoria. After the m eeting, we were joined by 49%ers Don Sutton, Harold White, Pete Akerlund and Verne Siemon. The whole group then had dinner at Hagers Stage Coach Inn, which is right on the airport.
One of our busiest mem bers is Bea Siemon. She showed the picture “ Runways of the World, which is put out by Illinois Aviation, to a group of over 100 women of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Charles and to the 5th and 6th grade students of the Wayne School in Wayne, 111. She has a large collection of colored slides, showing 99 activities, which she presented to the w om en’s group at the Church, and also to the Wayne W om en’s Club at a hobby presentation. All this, besides all the flying she does!
Nita Fineman and her fam ily went, via station wagon, to Washington, D. C. during the spring vacation week. She said that even the birds didn’t fly through the rain and fog that blanketed the Alleghenies that week. Eve Chilcoat spent about two weeks touring Wyoming, and then went to Oklahoma City to visit there. Several of our gals attended the Spring Sectional in Des Moines and had a wonderful time.
Nell Brown enjoyed it so much that she and her 49% er returned the fo llowing week for a nice weekend visit.
CENTRAL ILLINOIS CHAPTERBy Rose S. Andrew
In April our chapter met at the Capital Airport Dining Room, Springfield, Illinois. Leah and Sam Warren, Rose and Frank Andrew and Paul, Sue Hassley and two guests (P rospective m em bers) flew over in three planes k om Champaign, to join F lorence and Bob Musser, Lincoln; Addie O ’Brien and Mary Einhauser, Springfield; and Helen Greinke from Bloom ington.
We ate, visited, and visited the control tower v/hile at the airport.
The next meeting will be May 25, Champaign, at Andrew ’s Longpatch. Hope a good many will use the strip and fly in to a lunch.
Several of our girls flew or drove out to Des Moines to Spring Sectional. Sam and Leah Warren drove, as did Flo Musser and Helen Greinke. Barbara Jenison and Addie O’Brien flew out in the Jenison’s 170. Think all of them had a very fine time.
UPPER IOWA CHAPTER By Helen Flaherty
Millie Burt was hostess to the Upper Iowa Chapter in Storm Lake, Sunday noon, May 18. We dined at the Cobblestone Inn and then held our meeting in M illie’s lovely back yard. Five mem bers were present, which, in our case, constitutes a m ajority: Bernie Hugelen from Clear Lake brought her friend, Ruby Perry, along; Betty Barton from Spencer: Marie Blank from Klem m e; and your writer from Fort Dodge, and Millie Burt from Storm Lake.
Betty and I attended the Sectional in Des Moines and reported on it at the meeting. The Iowa Chapter certainly deserves recognition for putting on such a very successful meeting and hearty congratulations for their splendid organization and fine team work. They are really in orbit.
Bernie Hugelen has taken on a new job. She is secretary to the Secretary of the OX-5 Organization, he also happens to be her husband. Our most traveled member, Ruth Shimon, is already counting down for her takeoff again for foreign ports. Millie is living in her cottage on Storm Lake. Marie is combining her two businesses: banking and hairdressing. Betty and I are getting ourselves involved in spot-landing contests with our eyes on a trophy.
ALL OHIO CHAPTER By Mary J. Fecser
SCOOP OF THE MONTH: Jean Hixson was chosen one of the nation’s outstanding teachers by a group of nationally-prominent educators at the National Education Association’s Travel Fair in Washington, D. C. Jean was selected a national winner in the “ Bold Journey” TV Teacher Awards Program and has been given her choice of Europe or South America. At the present, she still has not decided which it will be, nor when she’s going. She was selected from 1500 finalists on the basis of her ability to “ open a window on the world” for her pupils, belief in the values of educational travel, and use of the ‘BOLD JOURNEY” series as a teach
ing resource. Honors are nothing new to Jean, who has the distinction of being the first teacher to fly through the sound barrier in a Lockheed F-94C “ Starfire” jet with an Air Force pilto at the controls last year. In 1948 Jean won the Amelia Earhart Award and used the scholarship to complete her studies at the U. of Akron. In 1949, she becam e Akron’s first woman Air Force Reserve officer when she was given a lieutenant’s commission. In 1953, Jean (including your reporter) was a winner in the 50th Anniversary
of Powered Flight Contest for teachers who fostered aviation education in the schools.
Marilyn Collette and Rosalie Bracht were the only pilots among the new members of the Akron W om en’s chapter of the NAA to be honored at a tea at the Akron City Club ballroom.
Secretary Helen Sammon was reelected Vice-President of her chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi, national business wom en’s sorority. She is also serving as membership chairman of the organization.
Edie Friedrich ’s second future 99er was born on April 25. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 12% oz.
Arleen Davis is sponsoring three 1958 scholarships at Parks College of Aeronautical Technology, St. Louis University. Scholarships will pay about one-half of the actual cost of the credit course which consists of dual instruction, principles of flight, and rules pertaining to safety and maintenance.
Chairman Edyther Maxim, Marilyn Collette, Joan Hrubec, Virginia Schumacher, Mary Scheafer and lone Kiplinger were the lucky gals who attended the Spring Sectional in Des Moines.
Bonnie and Lee Miller attended the OX-5 meeting in Toledo, week-end April 27. Bonnie is working for her instrument rating.
Our deepest sympathy goes to Edith Friedrich on the death of her father.
Mary Fecser was elected Republican Precinct Committeeman for the third consecutive time at the May primaries.
Edyther Maxim and 49%er have left via Porsche sports car for their vacation in Denver, Colo.
Mary Scheafer and her three children are vacationing in Florida.
Jean and Dr. Bonar flew their 180 from Mansfield to Jacksonville, to Los Angeles, to Phoenix, to Jacksonville, to Chicago, and back to Mansfield. How’s that for cross-country- ing?
Harriet Wladyka was installed as Executive Officer of the 5th Area Civil Defense Air Patrol at the Headquarters Meeting of Concord Air Park, Painesville, Ohio.
Martha W ilcox spoke about aviation at the meeting of two youth groups of the Baptist Youth Fellowship.
Dorothy Anderson lets us know via invitational handbill that w e ’re all welcome to attend the 5th Annual Ranch-Style (chuck wagon et al) fly- in breakfast, on June 29, at Bluffton airport in Bluffton, Ohio. Prizes! Bring your own tie-downs.
MICHIGAN CHAPTER By Elsie Ferich
Carol and Bob Welch hosted the 99 meeting this month at Alpena, Mich. They herded the deer off the runways, but we knew quizzical brown eyes must be peeking from behind the trees.
We flew in Saturday evening and hors d ’oeuvre and cocktails awaited us, followed by a thick ju icy steak (lum berm an’s size) and “ lots of hangar talk.’ ’
Present were Leah Higgins, M argaret Crane, Faye Kirk (she flewr a new Sky Lane in), and her 49%, Helen Wetherill, Jeannette Soveriegn and 49%, and Mary Clark and m yself rode in with Bernice Trimble in a Navion. Joan Hrubec flew in from Cleveland, stepping in Flint to pick up Evelyn Fay (Flint Zonta) and was in Alpena a good deal sooner than yours truly.
Sunday morning the weather was as dubious as a woman trying to buy a new hat, and only one plane from the Detroit area made it in. Alice Davis and her guest Carol Orr. We waited hopefully, but when Loma May called from Detroit saying it was pouring down rain, we got the business m eeting under wray.
Yours truly conducted the meeting in lieu of the absence of our Chairman, Pat Russell.
Brunch followed and the AWTAR talk and Convention plans were foremost. It is exciting, and I know “ H erman the Vermin was making himself known. Herman is a giant-sized butterfly, pet and mascot of one of the girls who is flying her first AWTAR. He just keeps fluttering around inside her.
GREATER ST. LOUIS CHAPTER By Ruth Lake
The May meeting found us making colorful decorations for our Mexican Fiesta at the home of Dorothy Rum- sey. Nineteen m em bers plus our two student pilot prospective members, Juanita Bozwell and Lenore Leacock. Lenore was a little late in arriving— reason: she had just sololed. Herenthusiasm permeated the e n t i r e party and I am sure we were all m aking that First One all over again— g l o r i o u s , wonderful, unbelieveable day.
April 26th found 12 of us flying to Des Moines for our Spring Sectional. Golly Miner, Evelyn Neise and V irginia Duenke flew up in Virginia’s Apache. Delores Whelan, M a x i n e T o'Tfler, Laura Sellinger and Mickey Clark took a Tri-Pacer—Fran Merrill took Marge Fairchild with her in the Cessna 140 and Loretta Slavick and Sylvia Bloom went with me in the fam ily Tri-Pacer. Weather CAVU Saturday, but not too good coming back Sunday, that’s normal, isn’t it? Had to stay over about five hours in Kirks-
ville and then finally make it via Columbia.
Had a perfectly wonderful time at the Sectional. Hostesses are certainly to be congratulated on their fine program, including the cocktails and filet mignon served at the country club— imagine all of this at a Sectional. Also enjoyed the film shown of the TAR last year belonging to Sylvia Roth— wonderful photography. Showed the take-off of all the planes, including our own Mickey Clark’s “ Spectacula r .”
We are now the proud possessors of the Rotating Trophy at the Sectional for having the greatest percent of our mem bers attending, which we want to warn you, is going to be hard to take away. The Trophy was received with such fanfare at the airport, we bragged a little and told our 49%ers it was for spot landings, etc., you know how these stories can growr and grow, it was a good story while it lasted anyway.
M embers and guest of Kansas 99’s who attended the May meeting and dedication of the Atchison, Kansas Airport. Back row, left to right: Doris Richey, Wichita; D o r o t h y Speer, Wichita; Betty Parks, W ichita; Helen Chandler, Wichita; Anne Waddell, Garden City; M arjory Farrell, Kansas City Chapter; Broneta Evans, International President, Oklahoma Chapter; Marie Engleman, Hill City. Front ro w : M a r j o r i e Brightup, Wichita; Marge Paris, A t c h i s o n ; Lois Dobbin, Wichita; Mary McKillip, Wichita; Margaret Yourdon, Wichita; Marie Kuhlman, Kansas City Chapter; Ida Prokop Lee, Sculptress, South Dakota; Edna Gardner Whyte, Past International President, Fort Worth, Texas Chapter.
KANSAS CHAPTER By Helen Chandler
The Kansas Chapter held their meeting at Atchison, Kansas, May 18. We flew to Atchison to witness the dedication of the Atchison Airport in honor of Amelia Earhart, and also the presentation of a m em orial in her m em ory to the city of Atchison by the Zontas.
Our meeting was held in a hangar at the airport and we had several w elcom e guests, including Broneta Davis Evans, International President, Edna Gardner Whyte, Past InternationalPresident and Wynema Masonhall, 99 News Letter Editor. Kansas 99s attending were Marie Engleman, M arjorie Brightup, Dorothy Speer, Helen Chandler, Lois Dobbin, Betty Parks, M ary McKillip, Margaret Yourdan,Anne Waddell, Doris Richey, Mary Morgan and Marge Paris.
After our meeting we were taken by bus to a luncheon held in Atchison. We were served an excellent meal and were delighted with speeches pertaining to the life and times of our own Amelia Earhart. The memorial dedication was at 4:00 p.m. afterwhich we all took off again in the wild blue.
Thanks to Ken-Mar Airpark, several of us were able to enjoy the swank of the Piper Apache, Com- manche and the Tri-Pacer.
Our thanks to the Zontas for inviting the 99s and to our own Marge Paris of Atchison for such a delightful May meeting.
We also had several new prospects at our May meeting and w e ’re hoping they’ll be with us as permanent m em bers one of these days.
Several of the Kansas 99s have been burning up the skyways this past month, and with good weather forecast for the coming months, w e ’re hoping that w e ’ll be seeing all of our mem bers at future meetings.
ABILENE, TEXAS, CHAPTERThe Abilene Chapter has made
three flying trips since the first of the year — to San Angelo, Dallas and Austin.
The January trip was to San Angelo for lunch and included Tolly Petty, Margaret Childs, Joanne Elliott, Patty Taliaferro, Ruby Caldwell, Annelle Hooks, Maxine Elam and new m em ber June Renney.
In February, the Dallas chapter flew to Abilene and was met at the airport and entertained at lunch by the Abilene group. Then three days later, the Abilene chapter returned the visit.
Touring the Love Field tower, radar and radio stations were Joanne, Annelle, Tolly, Ruby, Patty, Maxine and
Am ber Cree. We then had lunch with the Dallas chapter m em bers at the S & S Tea Room. Flying weather was just barely above minimums when the group left Abilene and didn’t get much better through the day.
The March meeting was a beautiful spring luncheon at Tolly ’s home in Abilene.
Austin was the fly-in spot for the April meeting, with a Mexican dinner at El Matamoros. Making the flight were Ruby, Annelle, Tolly, Patty, Maxine and Beverly Tarpley.
W e’re happy to welcom e new m em ber June Renny, 101 Colorado, A bilene, whose husband is Capt. James B. Renny of Dyess Air Force Base, the SAC base west of Abilene.
And the proud possessor of the first instrument ticket in the Abilene Ninety-Nines is Patty Taliaferro. And w e ’re mighty proud of her.
TIP OF TEXAS CHAPTER By Eiaine Needham
The South Central Section meeting in Oklahoma City must have been a grand success, as Merle Dunham and Veda Tennent returned all brimming over with Oklahoma enthusiasm.
Merle and Veda had planned to fly up to the meeting in M erle’s Cessna 170, but bad weather made this im possible and nearly everyone had to drive.
Anyway, Veda brought all her protractors, rulers and binoculars and they made it overland quite safely in spite of the inevitable close shaves of highway traffic.
It seems these two Corpus Christi gals had a wonderful time and all the rest of us poor slaves who couldn’t make it feel really down and out about missing so much fun.
SOS, SOS, calling Houston 99s. Hope you gals will be ready to have another good o l’ rum m age sale to be held in the Valley soon. This money is used for airmarking paint, etc. And we have lots of fun too, trying on each other’s clothes n ’ stuff.
Nice invitations w e ’re receiving from Montgomery, Alabama.
Adios.DALLAS CHAPTER
By Pat JettonOur members have certainly been
active, in one way or another, this past month. We started off May in good order by attending the SCS sectional in Oklahoma City. Had a wonderful visit, those Okies having planned much activity and fun.
Rowena Burns drove up with her two children, who she parked with relatives in Oke City while she attended sectional. Jo Allison and Doris W eller drove up through thunder and lightning and rain. Saturday 4:30 a.m.
saw Marge Barr, Mildred Bishop, Martha Ann Reading and Pat Jetton beating the hiways. Martha Ann, D oris and Pat won Helicopter rides and went in circles remainder of sectional. All in all, we saw a lot of old friends, met a lot of new ones and had a barrel of fun.
Jerry Sloan is this week in Midland, Texas, gathering Bonanza time fast and furious. Martha Ann will be winging her way to Detroit for a National Conference of CAP communicators. Doris Weller will be doing same toward Albuquerque for a Flying Safety meeting.
Marge B arr’s mother, who drove back to Dallas from Oke City with girls, has been visiting and helping Marge get settled in her new house. Last time we talked to Marge she was paint stained from one end to the other.
There have been very nice articles in local papers lately about our girls: Martha Ann and Jerry were the subjects of a lovely story about their forthcom ing participation in AWTAR. Mildred Bishop and Pat Jetton had same about coming Skylady Derby.
By the time this is out several of the girls will be in Topeka for Skylady Derby and WNAA convention. The North Central Texas Unit will be well represented and we are looking forward to meeting some of the 99’s from the Nebraska, Iowa and upper Kansas area.
COLORADO CHAPTER By Mary Wenholz
C o^rado is happy to report that 6 of their gals were able to attend the South Central Sectional in Oklahoma City and found the trip well-worth the effort put forth in getting there. Just to be able to see and visit in Headquarters was a treat, to say nothing of Donna’s winning the Jet ride and Betty and Verna having Helicopter rides, plus all the other prizes the Colorado gang ran off with, plus the making and renewing of friendships with so many of the other 99s. Those Oklahoma gals sure showed us all a wonderful time and I would like to here and now thank each and every one of them for all the Colorado gang. Mustn’t overlook mentioning the presence of one of our 49^ers, too — Art Pfister, who with wifey, Betty (broken neck et al) showed up to the great surprise of the rest of the gang. And what a wonderful surprise, too!
Our July meeting was cancelled because of complications caused by overriding of dates; but we plan a bang-up meeting at the home of Ruth Mugele on Friday, June 6—an outdoor barbecue.
Alice Fuchs is a busy gal these days
writing a computor book for Jeppesen and Company.
Fred and Darlene Gray took daughter, Jackie, to Chicago to see the Industrial Museum, which I understand is well-worth a trip to Chicago. Hope to make this trek someday with my boys.
Alice Fuchs is planning a trip back to Pennsylvania. Plans on flying a 170 and would like someone to go along to help share expenses. This will be during the first week in June.
ALBUQUERQUE CHAPTER By Randy Sutherland
This month has been one of excitement and several gatherings of the Albuquerque Chapter.
First we had the film from AOPA “ To Save A L ife” at the home of Randy Sutherland. We recom m end it highly to all you girls who have not as yet had a chance to see it.
Next we had the pleasure of meeting Ruth Nichols as she stopped here for overnight on her tour. Several of us met her at the airport for lunch, including Ruth Deerman of El Paso. For dinner a group took her to Old Town to taste our Mexican food.
What an exciting day May 17 was for the Bill Cutters. Virginia and Bill became GRANDPA & GRANDMA with the proud papa being Bill Jr. They named the baby William Willson Cutter.
One of our members was taken to the hospital with a heart attack. We certainly wish Harriet Nye a speedy recovery.
The third gathering this month was a fly-in breakfast in Santa Fe. Donie Boone planned it all and did a wonderful job. The El Paso girls who joined us were: Ann Duthie, Ruth Deerman, Billie Callazhan, Liddy Weaver, and Erma Case. Two student pilots from Santa Fe Charlotte Dunbar and Nancy Gallivan who we hope to have as members before too long. The ones from Albuquerque attending were: Muriel Guggolz, Bobbie Albert, Jo Edleman and 49%er, Betty Burritt and 49%er and guest Mr. and Mrs. John Kay, Donie Boone and 49%er and guest Hale and Dick Waddell, Virginia Cutter and guest Mrs. Ed Box; Mr. and Mrs. A1 Banks and Randy Sutherland.
I feel very lucky to have drawn number one position for take-off this year in the coming “ Powder Puff D erby.” Now my only problem is just to stay in that number one position.
OKLAHOMA CHAPTER By Dorothy K. Morgan
The Spring Sectional Meeting of the South Central Section held at Oklahoma City is “ a thing of the past but the memories linger on .” They are
pleasant mem ories for us and we hope for those v/ho attended from all over the Section. We were happy that so many of you could come.
Since Tinker AFB takes up most of my waking hours I have little or no time to beat the bushes for news of the Chapter m em bers and since my reporters seem to have faded away, all the news I have is this—
Deth and Cyril Smith flew their Cessna to Colorado Springs to visit their son, Pat, v/ho is in the Air D efense Command. Beth’s mother and father from Omaha, Neb., have been visiting her and we had the pleasure of meeting them at an Executive Board meeting at the Smiths.
Velma Woodward has been having a severe bout with a case of poison ivy, and your reporter developed weed poisoning. Are these examples of the ground being more dangerous than the air?
Tulsa has enticed some of our m em bers to the Oil Capitol—Skip Carter and Ruth Jones went over to see the Tulsa Horse Show, and Rita and Leonard Eaves attended the EAA and AAA Air Show and Awards Banquet.
Wynema Masonhall has been appointed delegate for the Chapter to the International Convention, with Beth Smith as alternate.
Our annual Guest Day will be a brunch at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club on June 22nd.
On Sunday, May ISth, Broneta Davis Evans, Edna Gardner Whyte, and Wynema Masonhall attended the dedication of the Amelia Earhart Airport ceremonies in Atchison, Kan., thoroughly enjoying the luncheon and delightful speaker, as well as meeting A m elia ’s sister. Also sat in on the Kansas Chapter’s meeting, nice bunch of gals.
MISSOURI VALLEY CHAPTER By Barb Anspaugh
Apologies are in order for the long silence from us to you. Cur inefficient secretary (m e) has let herself get involved in “ other’ ’things for too many months.
Plere is a brief sum m ary of Mo. Valley doin’s since the first of the year to catch you up. No meeting in January, since weather hereabouts generally prohibits travel somewhat. Our February meeting was held in Omaha at the home of Helen Nestle. We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Ralston in March with Rosem ary Phelps. We also admired Howard’s new Ford Thunderbird, which he assures us is not replacing his airplane. It was on the way to Ralston that I found out barking pooches and Volkswagens don’t mingle. My 49x/2er swore it must have been a chihuahua, but HONEST, it was a good-sized mutt! (Note past tense.)
We enjoyed the hospitality of Earl
and Pauline Hawks at Bruning in April. Guests included Bruning folks, Eob and Maria Waring from Geneva. Plelen and Roy Simmons flew up from. Abilene to spend the day with us too.
May meeting I missed, but I hear tell that the gals had a good time at the Schepers home in Fairmont. Sandra plans to officially becom e a m em ber in July. W e’re always glad to see a new face!
Belle Hetzel will be our hostess in Harlan, Iowa, in June. Don’t know yet what the plans are for this meeting, but no dout w e ’ll have a good tim e— we always do!
EASTERN WASHINGTON CHAPTER
By Mary DrinkwaterLygie Hagan was hostess for the
April 13th Chapter meeting in Spokane. Betty Robertson, P o m e r o y ; Minnie Boyd, Pullman; Betty Seavey, Walla W alla; Ardith Sherman and Lygie of Spokane attended. Two prospective mem bers, Jean Carbon and Mary Hathaway of Spokane also met with us and we hope they come again. Lunch at the Country Club followed the meeting.
A lot of flying has been done by several of our m em bers this past month. April 16th Betty Searcy and Minnie Boyd flew to Boise, Idaho, to attend the Idaho Chapter meeting. They took to the air again and flew to Tucson, Ariz., to attend the Southwest Sectional. Betty reports she and Minnie had a wonderful 5-day trip. Lygie Hagan and 49% er flew to Phoenix, Ariz., to attend the Flying Physicians Convention. Helen Erns- dorff, one of our newest members, is busy daily flying students and passengers. Gini Richardson and 49%er now have the distributorship for the Bel- lanca. Gini has been busy, but busy, with their spraying operations. She plans to fly in the 1958 AWTAR and the International Air Races. Good luck, Gini!
Cur May meeting will be at Betty Seavey’s ranch in Walla Walla. A June meeting is planned for Yakima.
ALASKA CHAPTER By Carole Pierce
Another month goes by and with it the longer days and much too short nights arrive. By the time June rolls around we should all be used to having sunrise and sunset so close together. The regular meeting was held at Pat M cG ee’s home. We enjoyed a pot luck supper and afterwards watched a
officer for the Southeast Region. Georgiana is a Capt., and has been recently appointed Assistant Director movie. Present were Pat Gilda, Aria Cumbie, Pat McGee, Carole Pierce, Doll Eooth, Liz Krakau and guests Dr. Ruth Coffin and Ann Pollom.
This has been a busy month for Alaska 99’ers. The club presented a coffee urn to the Palm er Flying Association in appreciation for their help during our fly-in breakfast there last month.
Helen Stoddard and Ruth O ’Buck left for Lockhaven, Pa., to bring back two Piper Cub 90’s. W e’re all anxiously waiting to hear the details of their exciting trip “ out.”
Doll Booth has also been “ outside” attending a restaurant meeting.
Pat Gilda is busy working on her Commercial. She has passed the written exam, so it w on’t be long now. Ruth O ’Buck is also busy with her Instructor rating.
The chapter was invited to attend Armed Forces Day as guests of Ft. Richardson Army Base. Lunch was served, and then the form alities were observed. We enjoyed it very much.
More next month. Until then, more flying—and those of you who com e up here for a vacation, are w elcom e to visit us anytime.
MONTANA CHAPTER By Vivienne Schrank
Our 99, Inza Riedesel, was named to represent the Zonta Club of Billings at dedication of Amelia Earhart A irport in Atchison, Kan., May 18. Inza flew to the event which included an unveiling of a marker honoring the late Amelia Earhart — our first 99 President.
A committee for Air Education has to be selected soon. And to start it our Governor, Minnie Boyd, has asked our Montana 99, Orpha Dann to be its Chairman and Orpha has accepted. Congratulations, Orpha! (Orpha has long been a booster for the Aviation Workshop and says there is a total of 34 aviation education workshops and Montana has three of them—at M issoula, Billings and Harve—leaving 31 to be divided among 47 other states as far as she knows to date so Montana should fee honored to hear this news of leading in this noble endeavor with 99 Mary Jo Janey and 4912er, J. D. Janey as two of its directors.
By the time you read this Pearl Laska (who is Mrs. Ed Chamberlon now) and Lewis Laska (son) of Fairbanks, Alaska, will have visited your reporter at Jordan, attended aviation event in Miles City with the Schranks and then gone east to West Virginia to visit relatives before attending the university at Oxford, Ohio. (Pearl intends to take two weeks off at the
U. to fly in the AWTAR with yours truly as her co-pilot again.)
And now for the story ol Elsie Child’s trip to Phoenix, Ariz., I prom ised you:
“ Just got back from a rough trip to FHX. Got W X ’d in going down cuz Kim (their son) got a case of bronchitis—kept us all awake so long coughing and had to get Doc at 2 a.m. in Ida and again in Malad City—so between the weather and the bronchitis missed about the only two chances to get thru—then on Friday when we had about decided to com e home (Helena) from Malad rather than go on we couldn’t have gotten through Monida (pass), but it did look like we could go on south—so we did. Got to stay a day and a half, then made a try to com e home via ABQ—WB in PHX w on ’t say what the weather is, just you can ’t do this or you can do that (phooey to th em !) — so felt obliged to try the long way around since was due back at work the next day! Well, we galloped up to Gallup, N. M.—and on toward ABQ, but ran into turbulence (40 knot winds) and blowing dust, 3 miles near ABQ. Came back to Gallup intendng to re fuel and head up towards Santa Fe ahead of the dust (WB at PHX had assured us the wind condition at ABQ was “ diminishing” —they must have meant diminishing visibility as pilots later said that dust later went to 10,000 and ABQ visibility to 1 mile, e tc .)—but lo, I pulled a boner, and Gallup only had one runway—wind gusting 18 to 28 mph—a direct x-wind. Couldn’t hold the big tailed Stinson in a straight line, especially with it bucking like a horse, so had to land on dirt area. Then didn’t think I could hold it on take-off (had a time with it in wind up to 20 before) and there was a ditch alongside the runway—so decided against it for then. Later the wind veered a little more favorably, about 45 deg. cross or a little more perhaps, but by that time it had increased velocity to 35 knots and a Tripacer had turned back from ABQ (just after we cam e in he went out) reporting he was at 8000, standing on his nose and still going up—his passengers all got sick, so he came back. So we decided against frying it—we had already run out of time to make it before getting overtaken by the front, anyway with that 3 hr. delay at Gallup. So it goes. We were stuck there then 2 days, got off Wed. early and cam e via Wins’ ow, Cameron, Marble Canvon, Knab, Cedar City, Selta, SIC, IDA and on home— beautiful trip as far as Knab, then rough and rougher on up to Delta, then a little better until Malad City— then moderate turbulence to IDA, then nice (even old Mon'da pass) almost to Dillon, then moderate turbulence to IILN. Sure was a w orkout!”
Left to right: Chuck Bronan, Tucson A i r p o r t Authority, and Gertrude Gelderman, Chairman Tucson Chapter, greet Mrs. Bronita Evans, President of the Ninety-Nines on her arrival at the Spring Sectional, Tucson, Ariz.
TUCSON CHAPTER By Doris Choiniere
We were very happy to have had Broneta Davis Evans with us for the Southwest Sectional. We would like to thank all those who helped us, especially Juanita Newell of Phoenix, who pitched in as taxi driver when we sure needed her.
Ruth Nicols was in town on business last week. Bea Edgerly and Gertrude talked to her on the phone—next time Ruth, let’s all get together.
Lorraine Chandler Navioned Dotty Jenkins and Gertrude to Scottsdale, for a luncheon and shopping trip with the Phoenix Chapter in the West’s most Western Town. Thanks for asking us girls, wish more of us could have gone.
Mary Martin has recovered from a bad creosote burn on her hand. Better leave the fence building to your 491/2er, Mary.
Jan Gagnier, a future 99, is a happy girl. She completed her first solo and is flying every day to get her private as soon as possible.
We are looking forward to the 1958 AWTAR. You all stop here and see us. We will have a leg prize for the Yuma- Tucson leg, and possibly a free breakfast. You girls will get the word at the P ilot’s Briefing. Gertrude Gelderman and I will be at the Time Clock and both Mary Martin and Donna Johnson will be helping us.
There v/ill be 53 per cent of the
SOUTHWESTSECTION
Tucson Chapter in the race this year, Lorraine Chandler flying her Navion in her second TAR, Bea Edgerly fly ing a Tri-Pacer will be entering her sixth, and Shirle Marshall and her co pilot Dorothy Jenkins will be entering their first TAR in Shirley’s Tri- Pacer.
SAN DIEGO CHAPTER By Margaret S. Lang
Ruby Keaveny is still recuperating from surgery on her hand so I ’m pinch-hitting for her again this month. Hurry up ’n’ get recuperated, Ruby!
Of course, as most of you can appreciate, and the gals who have had STARTS before know, most of our conversations are all about the Start of the Race, however, we do get some other things accomplished. F ’r instance, Dottie Sanders took time out from her preparations to write a very clever poem to the San Diego 49M>ers. (Hope the News Letter has space to print i t .) :Dinner is late,The ironing’s stacked high,“ Mommy, I ’m hungry”The little ones cry.
But the San Diego Chapter With plans galore,Is striving for a better race start Than ever before.
So THANKS for your help And for your disrupted life,THANKS from the bottom of our
hearts For sharing your wife!
San Diego Chapter, Inc.The Ninety-Nines, Inc.
Our May meeting was held on May 16 at the home of Dottie Davis. Anna Christenson, Bobby W e s 11 i n g and Polly Ross were officially welcom ed as members. Four prospective m em bers were present: Martha Mullen and students Jane Fox, Marilyn Fisher and Eldrid Emerson. Also present as a guest was Pat Muelheim who is chairman of the Ham Radio Operators for the Start of the AWTAR. They will set up a 40-meter rig to transmit messages in regard to the AWTAR. Entries in the Race from San Diego so far are: Marian Craver and Ruby Keaveny; Polly Ross and Bobbie Westling; Isabelle McCrae and Betty McNeil; Terry Vaskues and Anna Christenson; Clara Aldrich and Martha Mullen; Jerry Vickers and Doris Lawrence; and Dottie Sanders is fly ing as co-pilot with Alice Robers. Alice and Dottie took off Monday to fly their “ Carrier P igeon” on the Race route.
At our last meeting it was decided by the group to sponsor a Wing Scout group. Dottie Sanders read a letter from Ann Bledsoe from Isreal and a card which she had written while in Turkey.
Ruby flew her Cessna 170 up to
Berkeley last week to becom e a grandmother. She reports that Kathleen Elizabeth is the sweetest, most lovable little girl ever.SACRAMENTO VALLEY CHAPTER
By Hialeah ReilichMay meeting found us flitting into
Dalton Airport. Last fall, when we last met there, the Dalton’s new home was being constructed. This time we got to admire the finished product and also enjoy the excellent luncheon served by our hostess, Vivian Dalton.
Gerry M ickelson’s Bellanca is fly ing again and she brought Ethel Sheehy, Betty Boyd and guest Claire Raley. Ruth Wagner brought Jan Kapus, Genevieve Sharp (transferring back to our chapter) and guest Ruth Lummis. Helen Mace fired up their week old (to them) Piper Clipper and brought Hialeah Reilich and guest Barbara Mathis. Betty Haynes and Nelsyne Jones drove in from Ar- buckle.
It was such a nice noisy meeting. Those that hadn’t been there wanted to hear all about the Tucson Sectional. Gerry, Jan, Claire, Ruth W., and your reporter really enjoyed telling of the marvelous time given to us by the Tucson Chapter.
We were all happy (and green with envy) to hear that Betty and Nelsyne have their sponsor for the TAR. So far, they are the only representatives from our chapter to be flying the race this year.
LOS ANGELES CHAPTER By Mari jane Brown
Elsie Smith and her hubby, Norman, hosted Christie Warren and your reporter on the trip to Tucson for the Southwest Sectional. Their Beechcraft Bonanza performed like a small airliner. Ethel Kerley and son, Joe, flew
Los Angeles Chapter gals on their way to the Sectional in Tucson. Left to right: Christie Warren, Mariiane Brown, Elsie Smith, and Ethel Ker- ley.
in their Culver V. They had a little oil trouble en route, but landed safely. On the way to Tucson we stopped at the Smith’s new desert home in Palm
Springs. What a charming place to “ get away from it all” !
At Tucson our “ hotel” was the 49er Ranch, which is set up to appear like a pioneer town of the early west. Each unit is a separate little building v/ith a distinguishing facade, such as a school, bank, store, stable, etc. Elsie and Norman were assigned to “ Judge Bean’s O ffice.” Ethel was in the “ Dressmaker Shop,” which is quite appropriate, as Ethel is very handy with cloth and needle. Christie and I enjoyed the charmingly appointed “ Millinery Shop.”
A verbal bouquet to the Tucson girls for their planning and work, which resulted in such a happy time!
Sally LaForge was our hostess for the May meeting, which was a lively affair, because we had 12 enthusiastic Wing Scouts with us during the social portion of the evening. Claire Walters told of her experiences in the TAR, and shared with us a number of her secrets for winning an air race. She also brought along some of her trophies, which obviously were richly deserved.
The evening’s entertainment concluded with the showing of an Air Force film which highlighted the noise problem in operating the jets, and included some startling aerobatics by the Thunderbirds.
REDWOOD EMPIRE CHAPTER By Hazel Bertagna
Where to begin? First—there was no Redwood Empire News Letter last month because we were all going to try to make the Tucson Sectional our meeting and that was after the News Letter deadline. Second—Pat Stouffer and I were so busy getting some flying time in and practice radio and omni, there was nothing else I knew to write about.
We want to publicly thank all the Tucson gals, their helpers at the airport and Inn and Wilma Bland for their hospitality and patience. Pat and I learned an awfully lot on that trip both in flying and friendship. We are going again. It was so nice meeting our President Broneta, also that lovely Tony from Wis, Everyone was interesting and friendly and even the hard workers Shirley, Mary, Lorrain, Gertrude, and Dorcthy seemed to enjoy themselves as much as we did. Wilma was kind enough, and her husband was generous enough, to chauffeur us to M iquela’s so we could take home a memento of the well planned and executed fashion show. I might add—my purchases have made quite an impression upon my friends and fam ily.
Due to unfortunate circumstances, and an accident, which left Betty Locken with a broken ankle, she and Shirley Blocher were unable to fly down to Tucson, much to their disgust and unhappiness. Nellie Palm er and
Standing, left: Pat Stouffer, guests Betty Locken, Francis Cohen, Anna Brenner. Below: Chairman Shirley Blocher, Hazel Bertagna, and Nellie Palmer. Redwood Empire m em bers and guests at meeting at Napa
County Airport.
Anna Brenner had hoped to go too— but were unable to make it.
They all were on deck for our May meeting though, at Santa Rosa A irport Sunday, the 18th, even Betty who flew Shirley down in her Ercoupe— broken ankle and all.
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY CHAPTER
By Jeanne StrahlThis has been a month of aviation
events—the highlight was an invitation to attend a reception for Ruth Nichols. We all know Ruth as a pioneer woman pilot, a courageous and spirited woman who has repeatedly been acclaim ed as one of the w orld ’s distaff pilots but not all have had the privilege of meeting Ruth as a warm and charming individual who has dedicated her time and energies to new horizons—that of f i g h t i n g Nephrosis. Ruth is going about the work of being National Field Director for the Nephrosis Foundation with the same drive and fortitude she must have used when she set her numerous flying records. Pier sincere and dauntless efforts will again win honors for her.
Cur May meeting was a delightfully gay and informal one held at Louise Robertson’s home. We conducted our business meeting on the patio and adjourned later for refreshments indoors. Lola Ricci, our newly elected chairman, appointed comm ittees who will serve for the balance of the year, outlined their duties, and spent the remainder of the meeting talking with the group on fly-ins and fund raising. It was suggested that every 99er not wearing a 99 pin be fined 10 cents and every girl who is more than 15 minutes late be fined accordingly. We all agreed these are two painless ways to add to the coffers and ones which should help to make us realize the privilege of belonging to the 99’s.
ApTTT saw the C h a p t e n ^ ^ ^ M M B ^ ^on the highways to P rovo^^K an, where Ruth Walker, Nicky Harding and Lucile Christopherson treated us to an interesting evening of slides, music and good food.
Congratulations to Cora and Bill G rote! They are the proud parents of a baby boy; this makes a 5-place airplane almost mandatory.
Alberta Nicholson hostessed our May meeting. Business discussed cov ered the airmarking of the Provo, Utah, airport; our spring flight for our Wing Scout troop; and the usual chapter pioblem s. We saw two films on the famous “ 180 degree’ ’ course and one on Civil Defense. Those in attendance included June Raybould, Eunice Naylor, M argaret Loy, Lucile Christopherson, Nicky Harding, Cora Grote, Be Lowell, and our very newest m em ber Clair DeRyke of Ely, Nev. Clair and husband Dr. Gilbert (who also flies) own a Cessna 182.
BAY CITIES CHAPTER By Margaret C. Gerhardt
The picnic at Half Moon Bay was judged a big success by all present. The weather was perfect, and the small picnic grounds cam e equipped with cold water, a barbecue pit, briskly running stream and a variety of wildlife including cattle, chickens and dogs. Aside from the critters, we had the whole place to ourselves. After lunch, all children ranging from 2 to 13 splashed in the creek and the grown-ups lounged in the sun and talked.
On hand were our hosts, the Carl- sens with little Paul, the Gerhardts with two of their four children, the Keltons with 3 or 4, Miriam Brugh with Janie, age 5Mj, Anne Ram bo and Ruth Rueckert. Gerry Mickelson flew the Bellanca down from Sacramento with Rita Hart and Betty Boyd. Ann Ram bo has recently transferred to our chapter. She now lives in Los Gatos and we hope to see more of her.
I missed seeing Mable Zehr who cam e early and had to leave early. Her new granddaughter was born at 6V2 months and weighed 2 pounds, 12 ounces. The baby, named Vicky, is now out of the incubator and weighs 4 pounds, 6 ounces. Mable and Otto just cam e back from vacationing in Iowa via new Plymouth, and found a snow storm in Cheyenne to thick for driving.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY CHAPTER By Fran Dias
We have been out of print for so long, let’s see if we can bring things up to date.
In January we had our Chapter’s seventh anniversary dinner party at the El Patio in Modesto.
February, a business meeting was
M; i r <' ‘ ̂ . g < >{ ̂y yfo rd ’s lovelylock for our meeting. We had a ^ ^ l guest Capt. Doris Williams of Castle Air Force Base. Doris was a former WASP who was brought to the meeting by Ethel Heiland.
Ethel of Merced was to have had us for the April meeting and Doris invited her to have it at Castle which is a SAC base and where she would take us on a tour of the Radar installations of which she is in charge. It was wonderful.
Starting in January there were various flights and fly-ins planned and ultimately canceled because of our l o v e l y California’s “ most unusual weather.’ ’
We finally did get to make a flight. It wasn’t long but it was fun. We flew to Orosi, south of Fresno. At the end of the runway and to one side is the lovely country home of our member Estelle Stacey and her 49V2er, Al. We along with the 49V2ers were guests for overnight in her spacious home. They have a huge fam ily room equipped with everything including a combination fireplace and barbecue grille which accom odated big thick juicy steaks very nicely. Baked potatoes, tossed salad and all sorts of lucious things too numerous to mention plus strawberry short cake. In the morning ham and eggs and all the home made biscuits you could eat.
SAGUARO CHAPTER By Marjy Crovvl
Although all our pians to attend Sectional didn’t materialize, glad to report that most of them did. Juanita Newell won a lovely handbag for fly ing the plane to Sectional having the most passenger weight— Betty Slater, June Kaiser, Doris Rowe and Belba Beard in a Cessna 195. Ruth Reinhold and Pat Runyan, in a Bonanza, took Camille Shapley and a representative of the Fourth Estate. Thelma and Max Biegert had yours truly with them in their 195; Alice and Charles Roberts flew their Bonanza down and Wilma and Bill Bland drove down. Throughout the whole schedule it was very evident that the members of the Tucson Chapter spent a lot of time and effort in planning the program.
Our May business meeting was held in the home of Jimmye Lou Shelton. Melba Beard, Wilma Bland, Marjy Crowl, Thelma Biegert, June Kaiser, Doris Glina, Alice Roberts, and Juanita Newell, members, and Pat Runyan, prospective member, enjoyed the meeting and films shown afterward.
Juanita Newell planned the “ shopping tour’ ’ flight for the members of the Tucson Chapter as well as our own girls. Doris Choiniere, Dorothy Jenkins, Lorraine Chandler and guests
vho euner has had a remarkable recovery or forgotten completely why she spent some time in Phoenix recently—more power to you, Dot!
LONG BEACH CHAPTER By Jackie Sepulveda
Seven of us from Long Beach attended the spring sectional in Tucson, Ariz. Tail wind going out and head wind coming back. Barbara London, Fran Bera, Ruth Gay, Edna Stennett, Annette Castle, Hilda Reafsnyder and Jackie Sepulveda all had a grand time enjoying the hospitality of the Tucson 99’s! Thanks so much!
Our May business meeting was at Betty Loufek’s home where Fran Bera gave our new members a talk on the history of the AWTAR.
Long Beach 99’s entered in this year’s race, so far, are: No. 9, Frances Bera, pilot, and Evelyn Kelley, co pilot, Piper Apache; No. 11, Betty Miller and Pauline Allen, Cessna 172; No. 13, Ruth Gay and Rita Gibson in their first TAR in a 140.
Airport.Finally, we are getting together to
see if we can have an en masse vurn- out at the pre-race banquet in San Diego and give a big send-off to the Long Beachers in the TAR.SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CHAPTER
By Polly StoehrOur very new chapter was proud to
receive its charter on the same day that we held our first meeting. Many thanks to Doris Eacret for her help in getting it to us in time. All six of the charter mem bers will miss the company of the San Fernando Valley Chapter but we will surely keep in close touch with all the wonderful friends we have there.
We were also happy to give an application blank to our first prospective new m em ber Virginia Graham. She is busy working on the whys and wherefores of multi-engine in their Aero Commander.
Polly Stoehr and 4914 er, Fred, loaded their Navion to the hilt with clothing, food, and medicine for an Indian
doinging at thd- S.O.S. from i ’ the whereabouts f o r m a t i o n about ur .v j C2planes built at Pasadena City College about 1939, please contact her.
Dorothy Dancer and 4914er, Don, are looking forward to their vacation at the end of May. First stop will be at the Desert Air Park near Palm Springs. Then on to stay at “ Site 6” on the Colorado River.
Katherine Wagner and 4914er flew to Las Vegas (via Bonanza Airlines) for a weekend.
We are all proud of Barbara Stewart who was named “ Miss World Trade” this month and is reigning over the World Trade Week in Los Angeles. She was selected over six others and the judges couldn’t have chosen a prettier queen.
Penny Swope flew to the Southwest Sectional at Tucson in her Piper Clipper and took Ruth Gay along from the Long Beach Chapter to navigate.
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